LIVE Crucial negotiations to end war: US and Ukrainian delegations now discuss provisions of peace deal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that negotiations currently taking place in Florida are aimed at identifying “a path forward” that would allow Ukraine to “never have another war,” according to the New York Times.

The talks come at a time when the US administration's initial 28-point plan has been criticized by Ukraine's allies as pandering to Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands. This week, recordings and transcripts published by Bloomberg showed separate, earlier conversations between Witkoff and Russian officials that raised questions about whether Witkoff was negotiating on behalf of the Russians, presenting their demands as American recommendations.

The American delegation is made up of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, the president's special envoy and the considered author of the first version of the agreement, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and businessman who handles international diplomacy for Trump.

What are the objectives of the Ukrainian delegation

Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council and leader of the Ukrainian delegation, said upon arrival in Florida that he was looking forward to a “productive” meeting with the US delegation. In a post on X announcing that the meeting had begun, Umerov added that he was “in constant contact” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and would report back to him after the meetings concluded.

“We have clear directives and priorities: protecting Ukraine's interests, ensuring a substantial dialogue and moving forward based on the progress made in Geneva,” Umerov wrote. “We are working to ensure real peace for Ukraine and reliable long-term security guarantees.”

Security guarantees have long been a sensitive point for Ukraine. The initial draft of the US-backed peace proposal included a promise of security guarantees to prevent another Russian invasion, which would have been partially enforced by the United States, but without detailing the level of commitment to Ukraine's defense.

At previous negotiations, the ones in Geneva mentioned by Umerov, American and Ukrainian officials expressed optimism about a final agreement. Officials whittled down the 28-point proposal, and Rubio said points involving NATO and European countries had been removed and set aside for separate negotiations that would require European input.

President Zelenskiy said he would speak directly to Mr Trump about “sensitive issues”, which are likely to include territory.

The meeting comes at one of the toughest times for President Zelenskiy, who is dealing with the fallout from a corruption investigation that led to the resignation on Friday of his chief negotiator and head of the presidential office, Andri Iermak. Iermak attended the Geneva talks and appeared alongside Rubio to discuss them with reporters.